Opinion article by Siyanda Magayana, Senior Officer: Gender Equality and Anti-Discrimination Office, Unit for Institutional Change and Social Justice, University of the Free State.

Love and intimacy in the digital era

In the modern age, where social media and technology pervades every part of our life, there is a dark practice known as revenge pornography. This modern digital era has altered relationships and intimacy in so many ways, as well as what is private and what is public. As a result, the transition from sharing nude and/or explicit private content such as images and videos to experiencing revenge pornography is a concerning trend in today’s digital and social media era. What usually starts off as consensual and an intimate sharing of nude images between two persons and with a trusted partner, to build trust and intimacy within a relationship, can easily turn into a nightmare for some. This sinister practice is often rooted in and fuelled by vindictiveness and has devastating effects on the victims.

For those unfamiliar with the concept, revenge pornography refers to the non-consensual distribution of intimate or sexually explicit content of someone else. This behaviour or practice is typically perpetrated by former partners seeking revenge or simply intending to harm, humiliate, and/or elicit from their victims, as we saw with the leaked sexually explicit video involving MP Zanele Sifuba in 2023. More recently, a graphic video of a woman referred to as the “Spar lady” surfaced on social media; a video that was supposedly recorded for her partner’s eyes only. When this occurs, the internet buzzes with different viewpoints across different gender lines. However, the slurs, senseless bullying, harassment, and blackmail is frequently directed at the victim, more than it is directed at the perpetrator.

Revenge porn is not just a personal matter

As a society, we cannot view revenge porn solely as a personal retaliation against an ex-partner; it is a significant representation of bigger societal concerns, such as sexism and objectification of women. This is mainly because, more often than not, leaked sexual content features women rather men, and more judgement is directed at women than it is at men for ‘exposing themselves’ like that. This is not to claim that men are not victims of this insidious practice; for example, then-Minister of Home Affairs Melusi Gigaba’s explicit video was supposedly leaked on the internet in 2016/7, as was Canadian musician Drake’s explicit video recently. Nonetheless, we still see more explicit content of women exposed on social media, perpetuating negative assumptions about women’s sexuality and their bodily autonomy. This behaviour also maintains the already existing power imbalances in our society, with women being disproportionately targeted and shamed for their sexuality.

The impact of revenge porn on the victim

Revenge pornography has a long-lasting impact on its victims. Beyond the immediate trauma of having their privacy, human rights, and trust grossly violated, and their most intimate moments exposed to the world, victims are often left with enduring psychological scars such as depression, anxiety, with some resorting to suicide. Its impact also goes far beyond their personal space to affect their professional life as this behaviour sometimes irreparably tarnishes their image, leading to loss of employment, work opportunities and relationships. Given the above, it is crucial we stress that perpetrators of such acts be held accountable; refrain from blaming victims and asking questions such as, “why did they share such explicit images or video of themselves” – which is shifting the blame to the victim. Revenge porn is a serious societal issue that is not only confounded and rampant in the communities in which we live, but its victims are also found within institutions of higher learning, exacerbating the fight against addressing the scourge of gender-based violence (GBV) within these institutions.

Revenge porn is a form of abuse!

Revenge porn is a form of GBV. Labelling it as such is crucial for understanding its root causes and impact, in order for us to address it well. At its core, the phenomenon of revenge porn is an act of gross violence as it targets individuals based on their gender, typically women, even though men can be victims too. It is a form of abuse as, at its roots, it often driven by the desire to exert control and power over another individual by sharing their content to inflict harm, humiliation, and emotional distress. Revenge porn fits within the category of GBV because it encompasses a wide range of behaviours which are not only limited to physical, emotional, sexual violence but to also include online sexual violence. This phenomenon fits within this framework as it specifically targets individuals for their gender; and, because it is often targeted at women, it perpetuates the idea that women’s bodies are merely objects to be controlled, owned and/or exploited by others at any point in time.

It is important that we raise awareness of revenge porn and recognise it as a form of GBV as we are living in a digital era, which is ever-changing. By acknowledging its prevalence and impact we are affirming the rights and dignity of its victims, while also ensuring that perpetrators are held responsible for their actions. Awareness of revenge porn is equally important as it fosters working towards creating a safer society for all, especially, in relationships.